Universal washing aparatus for eyeglasses

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed towards a universal washing apparatus with water or cleaning liquid inside for eyeglasses, or sunglasses, and frame of any size or shape. A cleaning container with sealing cover and mounting structure is provided to securely retain the eyeglasses and fame in the container without leakage. The cleaning container is an open-top case, sealed with a cover having a sealing groove tightly fitting the open edges of the case. The sealing cover may be a separated from or attached to the open-top case, and may be further secured to the case with pairs of snap locking keys. An elastic cushion or band spring is on the inner side of the sealing cover to securely press and retain the eyeglasses on the mounting structure inside the case. In one embodiment, the mounting structure is a mounting bar between the two long walls of the open-top case, with shape matching the nose pads of eyeglasses so that the eyeglasses can stay on. In another embodiment, the mounting bar has a slot and pairs of positioning holes long the slot walls, so that two arch-shaped blocks with positioning key matching the positioning holes can stay securely in the slot and prevent the eyeglasses from moving.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to eyeglasses or sunglasses cleaning.

More specifically, the invention relates to the cleaning of eyeglasses or sunglasses, and their frames, secured in a sealed container filled with water or other cleaning

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eyeglasses are essential to daily life of many people with vision defects, such as Myopia or Hyperopia. Sunglasses are also frequently used by people to protect vision from the sunshine. However, eyeglasses and sunglasses are prone to contamination such as from dust in the environment, dirt and grease from fingers human skin, Such combination of contaminations often accumulates on lenses and their frames, and especially in fine gaps in them, causing degradation of transparency and unneatness of appearance.

There are several prior arts of cleaning eyeglasses, such as wiping with a cloth, brushing, or applying some compounds to the surfaces of eyeglasses. Those methods cannot remove the dirt or contaminations accumulated in fine gaps of eyeglasses and frames, and even worse, involve direct contact of cleaning tools with the lens surfaces and can usually cause damages over the long term. Ultrasound is also used in prior arts to clean eyeglasses submerged in water in a container. However, ultrasound cleaning apparatus is bulky and expensive, requires electricity, and can generate energy high enough to damage the coating of lenses. A simple and straightforward way to clean eyeglasses is to wash them in a container with water or cleaning liquid by shaking the container with hands, In U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,941, a receptacle with a pair of holders at both ends is used to clean the eyeglasses inside. However, it is difficult to securely hold eyeglasses when the eyeglasses are shaken in such a structure in practice. In addition, due to large variation of eyeglasses lengths, shapes and styles, it is difficult to fit all of them in a single-size receptacle of such structures. Especially when the legs of the eyeglasses are longer than the frame, eyeglasses in such a receptacle can not be securely retained and can be damaged when being shaken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a universal container and methods to fit and clean eyeglasses or sunglasses of any size, shape or style. The apparatus is composed of an open-top case, a mounting structure inside the case, and a sealing cover with elastic cushion or spring attached to inner side of the sealing cover. The container is large enough to accommodate eyeglasses of any size and shape.

In practice, a pair of eyeglasses is placed on the mounting structure in the open-top case. The open-top case is sealed with the sealing cover. The eyeglasses and frame are securely retained on the mounting structure by the elastic cushion or spring on the inner side of the cover at the same time when the open-top case is sealed. Water or cleaning liquid can be filled in the container for eyeglasses washing. The contamination on the surfaces and in the fine gaps of the eyeglasses and frame can be resolved and washed out in the cleaning liquid or water in the container when the container is being shaken. The volume of water or cleaning liquid may not be full in the container in order to optimize the fluid dynamics to achieve best washing result when being shaken.

The apparatus in this invention is easy to be used in any domestic environment, in travel, and in the situation of no electricity, and can also be used as storage case of eyeglasses when not filled with liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1A is the perspective view of one embodiment of the cleaning container with the sealing cover removed.

FIG. 18 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the sealing cover of the cleaning container in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is the front view of the embodiment of the cleaning container in FIG. 1A, covered by the sealing cover in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2B is the vertical cross-section view of the embodiment of the cleaning container in FIG. 1A with the sealing cover in FIG. 1B, and a pair of eyeglasses inside.

FIG. 3A is the side view of the embodiment of the sealing cover in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3B is the bottom view of the embodiment of he sealing cover in FIG. 1B with the cross-section line indication.

FIG. 3C is the cross-section view of the embodiment of he sealing corer in FIG. 1B, indicated by the cross-section line in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3D is the enlarged view of the circled portion in FIG. 3C, of the embodiment of the sealing cover in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4A is the top view of the embodiment of the cleaning container FIG. 1A and the mounting structure inside.

FIG. 48 is the side view of the embodiment of the cleaning container in FIG. 1A with the cross-section line indication.

FIG. 4C is the cross-section view indicated in FIG. 4B, of the embodiment of he cleaning container in FIG. 1A and the mounting structure inside.

FIG. 5 is the perspective view of the modified embodiment of the cleaning container with an attached sealing cover.

FIG. 6A is the side view of the alternative embodiment of the sealing cover.

FIG. 6B is the bottom view of the alternative embodiment of the sealing cover in

FIG. 6A with the cross-section line indication.

FIG. 6C is the cross-section view indicated in FIG. 68, of the alternative embodiment of the sealing cover in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is the perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the sealing cover in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is the perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the open-top case with a mounting structure composed of a mounting bar with a slot and positioning holes, and a pair of stop blocks.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pair of glasses placed on the mounting structure of the embodiment of the open-top case in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates the detail three dimensional drawing of the mounting structure of the embodiment of the open-top case in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10A is the top view of the open-top case in FIG. 7 with cross-section line indication.

FIG. 10B is the cross-section view of the open-top case in FIG. 7 indicated by the cross-section line in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is the enlarged portion circled by the circled portion in FIG. 10B, of the open-top case in FIG. 7.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, where similar elements are labeled the same, FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of the open-top case 100, with one locking key 101 on each outer side of the four vertical walls, and a bar-shaped mounting structure 102 inside the case between the two longer walls to carry a pair of eyeglasses 500. One embodiment of the sealing cover 200 is illustrated in FIG. 1B, where the sealing groove 201 is paved with a layer of appropriate thickness of elastic material, and tightly matches the top edges of the open-top case 100 to seal the case without leakage. More secured water-tight sealing can be further achieved by snap-locking the four hinged locking lids 202 of the sealing cover to the locking keys 101 on the four walls of the open-top case 100. The holes on the hinged locking lids match the locking keys 101 on the open-top case so that the lids can be locked to the keys when being pressed. When the sealing cover 200 is locked to the open-top case 100, the elastic cushion 203 presses and securely retains the eyeglasses 500 on the mounting structure 102.

FIG. 2A illustrates the open-top case 100 sealed with the sealing cover 200. FIG. 2B illustrates the cross-section view of the open-top case 100 sealed with the sealing cover 200 with a pair of eyeglasses 500 securely mounted inside. The mounting structure 102 is a bar between the two longer walls of the open-top case, with isosceles trapezoid shape in cross-section to match the nose-pads of eyeglasses. The open-top case 100 and sealing cover 200 can be made of plastic material and manufactured with various standard plastics processes, such as injection molding, extrusion or drawing.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D depict details of one embodiment of the sealing cover 200, with an elastic sealing layer in the groove 201, and four locking lids 202 which hinge to the cover. The connections between the locking lids and the cover are thin enough so that the lids can easily be bent to lock to, or unlock from, the keys on the open-top case walls. The sealing layer in the groove 201 is made of soft material such as rubber or silicone of an appropriate thickness, and paved into the groove by thermal press or epoxy processes. The dimensions of the sealing groove are chosen to tightly match the top edges of the open-top case so that the case is sealed without leakage when the cover is pressed on to the case. The cushion 203 is made of elastic material with appropriate softness and thickness, such as foamed rubber or foamed plastics, and attached to the inner side of the sealing cover by thermal or epoxy processes. The eyeglasses mounted on the mounting structure can be retained securely when the sealing cover is pressed on.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C depict the bar-shape mounting structure 102 in the container. The eyeglasses sit on the central part of the mounting bar. The two ends of the bar are higher than the central part to prevent the eyeglasses from touching the container walls and causing damages. The fine v-grooves on the surface of the mounting bar can further prevent the eyeglasses from moving. The mounting bar surface contacting the eyeglasses can be coated with soft material such as rubber for protection.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of the cleaning container 300 with attached sealing cover instead of a separated one. In this embodiment, one edge of the sealing cover is attached to the mating edge of the open-top case. The connection between the sealing cover and the open-top container is thin enough so that the sealing cover can be bent easily to cover or uncover the open-top case. Three hinged locking lids 202 are attached to the three other edges of the sealing cover. The holes on the hinged locking lids match the corresponding locking keys on the open-top case so that the lids n be locked to the keys hen being pressed. The connections between the locking lids and the cover are thin enough so that the lids can easily be bent to lock to, or unlock from, the keys on the open-top case walls. When the sealing cover is locked to the open-top case, the elastic cushion presses and securely retains the eyeglasses on the mounting structure. In this embodiment there is no need for a locking key on the container wall where the sealing cover is attached to.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D depict an alternative embodiment of the sealing cover 400. The sealing groove 201 and snap-locking lids 202 are the same as in FIG. 1B. A plastic curved band spring 403 is installed into two sockets 404 at the two ends of the inners side of the cover. The band spring pushes and secures the eyeglasses on the mounting bar when the cover is put on to seal the container. The mounting bar surface contacting the eyeglasses can be coated with soft material such as rubber for protection.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show an alternative embodiment of the mounting structure for eyeglasses in the open-top case. The mounting structure has a mounting bar 103 and two arch-shape stop blocks 104 for the eyeglasses. FIG. 9, FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C show the detail of the mounting structure. The mounting bar has a slot along the bar direction. The lower portion of the arch-shaped stop block matches the cross-section of the slot in the mounting bar. The upper portion of the stop block is high enough to stop the eyeglasses from moving along the bar direction. Some positioning holes in pairs are made from inside to outside of the two opposite wails of the slot. The stop block has one outward button-shape positioning key on each side of the lower portion and can mate into the positioning holes on the walls of the slot of the mounting bar. The arch-shaped stop blocks are made of elastic material such as plastic so that the blocks can be released from the mating positioning holes of the mounting bar when being squeezed, or engaged into the mounting holes when not being squeezed. The distribution of the positioning holes along the bar is appropriately selected so that the two stop blocks can be placed in the right positions according to the eyeglasses size, and then stay securely by mating the positioning keys to the positioning holes on the slot ails of the mounting bar. The surfaces of the stop blocks contacting the eyeglasses can be coated with soft material such as rubber in order to protect the eyeglasses.

In practice, the sealed container, partially filled with water or cleaning liquid, with the eyeglasses placed and secured on the mounting structure inside, is shaken by hands. Shaking the liquid inside will generate washing forces to remove dirt or contamination accumulated on the surfaces and gaps of the eyeglasses and frame. The selection of water or cleaning liquid, their volume and sequence in use are determined by the condition of the contamination. For example, the eyeglasses can be washed with cleaning liquid first. Then the used cleaning liquid is disposed. The eyeglasses can be washed more times with refilled fresh cleaning liquid if there are more dirt and contamination to be removed. Then as a final step, water can be used to rinse and remove the residue of the cleaning liquid. Neutral non-corrosive cleaning liquid should be used in order to protect the eyeglasses, coating, frame and their components such as metal screws. Distilled or purified water preferred in the last washing step in order to avoid traces from the impurity in water. The size of the universal cleaning container should be large enough to accommodate eyeglasses or sunglasses of any size and style.

The above described invention is applicable to cleaning of eyeglasses and sunglasses of all kinds of size, shapes, and styles, with the help of water or cleaning liquid in the container, The cleaning container can also serve as a storage case without water or liquid inside. Different combinations of the covers, cases, and mounting structures in the embodiments described above can form a cleaning container to achieve the same or better cleaning results. The container in the invention can be made into various fashion styles or convenient shapes.

The above description and drawings are only illustrative of preferred embodiments and methods, and the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto. Any modification of the present invention that comes within the spirit and scope of the following claims is considered part of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for cleaning eyeglasses with water or cleaning liquid, composing: an open-top case, said open-top case having a mounting structure inside for the eyeglasses to rest on in an appropriate position in the open-top case; a sealing cover, said sealing cover having a sealing groove to match the top edges of said open-top case and tightly seal the open-top case without leakage, and an elastic cushion on the inner side of the sealing cover to press the eyeglasses securely on to the mounting structure in the open-top case.
 2. A cleaning container according to claim 1, wherein said open-top case has one locking key on each outer surface of the four vertical walls of the open-top case, and said sealing cover has one locking lid attached on each edge of the sealing cover to match and lock to the four locking keys of the open-top case.
 3. A cleaning container according to claim 1, wherein said elastic cushion on the inner side of said sealing cover is replaced by a curved band spring installed into two sockets on the inner side of the sealing cover to press the eyeglasses on to the mounting structure when the sealing cover is closed on to said open-top case.
 4. A cleaning container according to claim wherein said mounting structure is a mounting bar between the two longer walls of said open-top case, and has an isosceles trapezoid shape in cross-section to match the nose-pads of eyeglasses so that the eyeglasses can rest on the mounting bar in a appropriate position in the open-top case.
 5. A cleaning container according to claim 4, wherein fine v-grooves are made on the surface of said mounting bar to prevent the mounted eyeglasses from moving.
 6. A cleaning container according to claim 4, wherein said mounting bar is lower in the central portion and higher at the two ends so as to prevent the eyeglasses mounted on the mounting bar from touching the ails of the said open-top case.
 7. A cleaning container according to claim 4, wherein said mounting structure is a mounting bar having a slot along the mounting bar with certain number of positioning holes in pairs through the two opposite walls of the slot, and a pair of elastic arch-shape blocks capable of being locked in appropriate positions along the slot by mating a pair of button-shape keys on the blocks to the corresponding positioning holes on the slot walls to prevent the eyeglasses mounted on the mounting bar between the two blocks from moving along the mounting bar.
 8. A cleaning container according to claim 1, wherein said sealing cover is attached to said open-top case at their mating edges via a thin connection, and seals the open-top case without leakage by snap-locking three locking lids, attached to the other three edges of the sealing cover via thin connections, to three corresponding locking keys on the walls of the open-top case.
 9. A cleaning container according to claim 8, wherein said elastic cushion on the inner side of said sealing cover is replaced by a curved band spring installed into two sockets on the inner side of the sealing cover to press the eyeglasses on to the mounting structure when the sealing cover is closed on to said open-top case.
 10. A cleaning container according to claim 8, wherein said mounting structure is a mounting bar between the two longer walls of said open-top case, and has an isosceles trapezoid shape in cross-section to match the nose-pads of eyeglasses so that the eyeglasses can rest on the mounting bar in a appropriate position in the open-top case.
 11. A cleaning container according to claim 10, wherein fine v-grooves are made on the surface of said mounting bar to prevent the mounted eyeglasses from moving.
 12. A cleaning container according to claim 10, wherein said mounting bar is lower in the central portion and higher at the two ends so as to prevent the eyeglasses mounted on the mounting bar from touching the walls of the said open-top case.
 13. A cleaning container according to claim 10, wherein said mounting structure is a mounting bar having a slot along the mounting bar with certain number of positioning holes in pairs through the two opposite walls of the slot, and a pair of elastic arch-shape blocks capable of being locked in appropriate positions along the slot by mating a pair of button-shape keys on the blocks to the corresponding positioning holes on the slot walls to prevent the eyeglasses mounted on the mounting bar between the two blocks from moving along the mounting bar. 